US2015044491A1PendingUtilityA1

Method of forming a black tantalum alloy, a tantalum alloy, and articles formed therefrom

15
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Aug 7, 2013Filed: Aug 7, 2013Published: Feb 12, 2015
Est. expiryAug 7, 2033(~7 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Daniel S. Piscitelli
Y10T428/12Y10T29/49A44C 27/003C23C 8/12C22C 30/00C22C 1/02C22C 27/02A44C 27/007
15
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Claims

Abstract

The invention provides tantalum alloys, methods for forming tantalum alloys having a luminous, black, ceramic surface, and articles, such as, but not limited to, jewelry and watches, formed from the tantalum alloys.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition including a homogeneous mixture, the composition comprising:
 between about 45% and about 75% by weight of tantalum;   between about 20% and about 45% by weight of zirconium;   between about 0% and about 35% by weight of niobium; and a balance by weight of a metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, molybdenum, hafnium, vanadium, silicone, chromium, and combinations thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the homogeneous mixture is a mixture of metal bars that has been melted in a vacuum to form a solid homogeneous mixture of metals. 
     
     
         3 . The composition according to  claim 2 , wherein there is between about 10% and about 35% by weight of niobium. 
     
     
         4 . The composition according to  claim 2 , wherein the composition has a luminous, black, ceramic surface. 
     
     
         5 . The composition according to  claim 2 , wherein the composition is formed into a shape selected from the group consisting of bars, rods, wire, tubing, pipes, sheets, and rings. 
     
     
         6 . A jewelry work piece formed from the composition of  claim 4 . 
     
     
         7 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the homogeneous mixture is a mixture of metal powders that has been mixed in ambient air and melted in a vacuum to form a solid metal form. 
     
     
         8 . The composition according to  claim 7 , wherein particles of the metal powders range in size from about 0.3 μm to about 10 μm. 
     
     
         9 . The composition according to  claim 7 , wherein the solid metal form has a luminous, black, ceramic surface. 
     
     
         10 . The composition according to  claim 7 , wherein there is between about 10% and about 35% by weight of niobium. 
     
     
         11 . A jewelry work piece formed from the composition of  claim 9 . 
     
     
         12 . A method for forming the composition of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 providing a portion of tantalum bars by measuring between about 45% and about 75% by weight of tantalum of the total weight of the composition;   providing a portion of zirconium bars by measuring between about 20% and about 45% by weight of zirconium of the total weight of the composition;   providing a portion of niobium bars by measuring between about 0% and about 35% by weight of niobium of the total weight of the composition;   providing a balance portion of a metal bar selected from the group consisting of titanium, molybdenum, hafnium, vanadium, silicone, chromium, and combinations thereof by measuring the balance portion of the selected metal bar to the total weight of the composition;   preparing a mixture of metal bars by mixing the portions of tantalum bars, zirconium bars, niobium bars, and the balance portion of the selected metal bar to prepare the mixture of metal bars; and   melting the mixture of metal bars to form the composition.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising heating the composition in an atmosphere containing 15-100% concentration of oxygen at a temperature in a range of about 400-900 C.° for a time period of about 5-60 minutes to form a luminous, black ceramic surface on the composition. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising shaping the composition into a shape selected from the group consisting of bars, rods, wire, tubing, pipes, sheets, and rings. 
     
     
         15 . A black tantalum alloy formed by the method of  claim 13 . 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein there is between about 10% and about 35% by weight of niobium. 
     
     
         17 . A method for forming the composition of  claim 7 , the method comprising:
 providing a portion of tantalum powder by measuring between about 45% and about 75% by weight of tantalum of the total weight of the composition;   providing a portion of zirconium powder by measuring between about 20% and about 45% by weight of zirconium of the total weight of the composition;   providing a portion of niobium powder by measuring between about 0% and about 35% by weight of niobium of the total weight of the composition;   providing a balance portion of a metal powder selected from the group consisting of titanium, molybdenum, hafnium, vanadium, silicone, chromium, and combinations thereof by measuring the balance portion of the selected metal powder to the total weight of the composition;   preparing a mixture of metal powder by mixing the portions of tantalum powder, zirconium powder, niobium powder, and the balance portion of the selected metal powder to prepare the mixture of metal powders; and   melting the mixture of metal powders in temperature cycles varying between about 1000-3000 C.° for a time period of about 2-5 days to form the composition.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising heating the composition in an atmosphere containing 15-100% concentration of oxygen at a temperature in a range of about 400-900 C.° for a time period of about 5-60 minutes to form a luminous, black ceramic surface on the composition. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising shaping the composition into a shape selected from the group consisting of bars, rods, wire, tubing, pipes, sheets, and rings. 
     
     
         20 . A black tantalum alloy formed by the method of  claim 18 . 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein there is between about 10% and about 35% by weight of niobium.

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